Black Caviar retires unbeaten

Such is Black Caviar's fame, and our cult of personality, the champion racehorse has assumed a human persona that includes a popular Twitter account and a budding romance with the English stallion Frankel. So it seemed apt the unbeaten mare had the final say about her future.

''She told Peter [trainer Peter Moody] and Peter told us and we are happy,'' Black Caviar's co-owner Neil Werrett said of a retirement decision that he would have you believe came straight from the horse's mouth.

In truth, Black Caviar's retirement was more about her body. The incredible piece of equine machinery that stretched and strained every muscle and tendon each time she raced. That pushed until she was at the brink of exhaustion, and injury, after many of her 25 undefeated races.

"In truth, Black Caviar's retirement was more about her body". Photo: Joe Armao

It seems incredible the sprinter's combined competitive career lasted a mere 28 minutes 1.96 seconds. Yet, to achieve such amazing acceleration, each stride took its toll. Something monitored conscientiously, even lovingly, by Moody and his staff.

Advertisement

Asked who had the final say, Moody echoed Werrett.

''The horse,'' he said. ''We had a look at her [after Saturday's victory at Randwick]. Once again she gave 110 per cent. I just thought, 'Job done'.''

One of a kind: Black Caviar rides a wave of adulation before her last race at Flemington, the Lightning Stakes. Photo: Vince Caligiuri

There were 25 occasions when Black Caviar could have retired undefeated. To choose this moment seemed surprising. But, when you consider the care with which trainer and owners have treated a horse which became a national treasure, it would be unfair to second-guess their timing.

The romantic option, in more ways than one, would have been to return to Royal Ascot where the stricken Black Caviar last year came within a nostril of defeat. To show the world the peerless sprinter which has blitzed fields here, not merely the stout-hearted warrior defying the odds. A trip to England would have also meant a breeding-barn date with the similarly brilliant Frankel, uniting the Brangelina of the turf. (Fraviar? Or, if conception proved difficult, perhaps Blankel?)

Melbourne's spring carnival also seemed an apt place to finish. A race when you knew you were watching Black Caviar cross the line for the final time. Instead, there will be a farewell gallop at Caulfield on Saturday.

Black Caviar's greatest hits

But there was a retrospective bonus for those who witnessed Black Caviar's final run at Randwick on Saturday. Party-pooping Premier Barry O'Farrell had said he would like Sydney to be the scene of her first defeat. Instead, it will remembered as the scene of her 25th and final triumph.

The experts will argue Black Caviar's place in Australian racing. The apples and oranges dispute between the stayer Phar Lap and the sprinter Black Caviar. What of Makybe Diva's three Melbourne Cups? Some will still swear Tulloch was the best of them all. But retirement means Black Caviar's unique record as undefeated champion remains forever. Never beaten. That has an imposing ring.

No doubt, for Moody and jockey Luke Nolen, the retirement will bring both a sense of sadness and relief. The strain Nolen, particularly, endured while defending the unbeaten record became more apparent with every ride. The criticism he suffered for not using the whip in the final strides at Royal Ascot was painful and, it transpired, unfair. The tears Nolen shed last Saturday as he returned to scale betrayed mental exhaustion, more than elation.

Even the avuncular Moody, who has embraced Black Caviar's fame even as it intruded upon his thriving business, admitted life would be less complicated. Recently, in typically frank manner, the trainer described the burden he felt. ''She's a massive pain in the arse,'' he said. ''But I'm happy she's my pain in the arse.''

Black Caviar brought people to the track to do more than just swill champagne. People who normally came to look at each other came to see her race. She gave everyone a lifetime memory.

Mine? The moment two years ago when Hay List skipped ahead of Black Caviar in the Randwick straight. The fleeting instant you thought Black Caviar could be beaten. And, seconds later, the realisation she could not. Not then. And, now, not ever.

Will those who flocked to see Black Caviar return to the track? Moody hoped so. ''She took racing to the forefront for all the right seasons,'' he said.

But racing is an unsentimental business. Racing network TVN disrupted the Black Caviar news conference after a few minutes for a more important commitment: Race four at Canterbury.

A sport fuelled by money quickly moves on. But, for a few precious years, Black Caviar made it seem far more romantic than that.

Twitter: @rdhinds

19 comments so far

Can we exoect a picture of the baby bump, they seem to be Very Important these days...

Commenter

Hypnomaster

Location

Golld Coast

Date and time

April 17, 2013, 9:16PM

Agree that the 2011 TJ was her best effort. Hay List had a good lead up the rise then she won well. Can we please not mention Makybe Diva. She was lucky to be top 5 mare let alone top 5 horse. Sunline was probably our best mare (at least last 20 years). MD was massively underweighted in her 2nd and 3rd Cups. She was good, she won a Cox but not 'best of all time'

Commenter

Franky

Location

Sydney

Date and time

April 18, 2013, 7:47AM

Not to mention the help with MD's 3rd Cup when they made sure the track was wet enough to suit her. MD won 3 Cups but doesn't get near "best ever"

Commenter

G-Man

Location

GWS

Date and time

April 18, 2013, 8:57AM

A dignified end to a dignified career. Thank you to the owners for the way you shared her with the public. Congratulations to Peter Moody for wonderful training/management, Donna for your beautiful handling, Luke for riding her to perfection. Most of all, thank you to Rick Jamison and Helsinge.

Commenter

Wysiwyg Sydney

Date and time

April 17, 2013, 10:02PM

I always baulk at polls comparing great champions but Phar Lap still holds the crown in my eyes.

When you compare racing of that era to racing of today there are so many things that are available to assist in the preparation, care, medical treatment & transportation of a racehorse, the quality of the tracks and track preparation and the weights that they carry, it really is no comparison.

Having said that they are all champions of their day and worthy to be listed in each others company. I count myself extremely fortunate as a racing fan to have witnessed the deeds of 3 of these champions and the thrill of seeing greatness in action.

Black Caviar showed in every race she was a true champion, a professional, a fierce competitor and a finally tuned athlete.

She deserves her Unbeaten crown and the stature in which she will be held because of it.

She deserves to also live out her days enjoying her retirement and becoming a mum.

In years to come her legend will be carried forth by those who recount the day they were there and saw Black Caviar win one of her races, with the a hint of awe and reverence in their voice.

That is how it should be.

Commenter

Chewy

Date and time

April 18, 2013, 12:31AM

The horse wins 25 straight, 15 group 1's and on the day she retires you are asking what if?? Please....this is not a Dick Francis novel this is real. A privilege to have witnessed, a champion athlete who deserves far better than what ifs.

Commenter

dj

Location

Perth

Date and time

April 18, 2013, 1:11AM

Black Caviar had nothing left at the end of the T.J. Smith at Randwick last Saturday. Luke Nolen rode a great race but he had to because the other jokeys served it right up to the champ. She won well but had nothing in the tank. Nolen was clearly at breaking point given his tearful interview as he returned to scale with that clown from Channel 7 who kept riding a clearly lame pony. And it was only a matter of time before Black Caviar went lame, or worse, in a race. She was a champion sprinter but I doubt if she would have beaten Vain at his best. She certainly wouldn't have beat him in the Golden Slipper.

Commenter

Stop the rot

Date and time

April 18, 2013, 8:42AM

Best horse ever Carbine. Like Phar Lap born in NZ Carbine started 43 times for 33 wins, six seconds and three thirds, failing to place only once due to a badly split hoof. Pretty impressive record if you ask me.But I'm sure there will be a bevy of overnight racing experts who beg to differ

Commenter

Jeromey

Date and time

April 18, 2013, 9:33AM

So glad someone said it. Easily best horse out of NZ. And, I believe, that the weight it carried in the Melb Cup it won still stands as a record today (65 kilos, or therabouts).

The question of who is the best racehorse is poorly worded, one has to take into account distances. How can you compare Black Caviar with a stayers such as Makybe Diva. Let's just say that in this era over her favorite distance she was the best of her era. I never had the chance to see her race as I don't follow the horse racing but comparing athletes of different era's fraught with anomalies.

18 Apr
On an overcast Melbourne day the horse that lit up racing and became a national icon took her final bow as she has spent much of her public life - before a battery of camera crews, photographers and media personnel straining to catch her every movement and expression.

17 Apr
Managing owner Neil Werrett was still floating in the clouds after Black Caviar's 25th win, in Saturday's T.J. Smith Stakes, when Peter Moody surprised him on Tuesday. There was no parachute for the news.